You'll have to forgive Jerome Bettis if he's still getting used to being a member of the media.

Players tend to get a little gun-shy around the media, not knowing if you can trust them. Now, entering his second season as a member of the NBC "Sunday Night Football" studio team, he finds himself on the other side.

Bettis announced in his book "The Bus: My Life In and Out of a Helmet," which is to be released this week, several interesting morsels while with the Pittsburgh Steelers, some which sent shockwaves throughout the organization.

His admission of faking an injury in the 2000 pre-season (although he was slowed by it at the time) to avoid being cut is not an uncommon practice by players.

He was worried about losing his job to potential upstart Richard Huntley, whose career never really materialized and Bettis went on to a 1,341-yard season and would eventually sign a fat $30 million contract.

He also mentions feeling the Steelers set up quarterback Kordell Stewart to fail, looking to insert Tommy Maddox and not wanting to pay Stewart top dollar.

Maddox was a disaster in his early NFL career, came out of UCLAtoo early and signed with Denver Broncos as the heir apparent to John Elway.

Elway would go on to win a pair of Super Bowls in the late 1990s and Maddox had spent several years out of the league before heading to the XFL.

This was who Bettis was afraid of Stewart losing his job? Really?

The book seems to also show some tension between Bettis and head coach Bill Cowher, though that never appeared to be a problem in public.

Bettis claims he was booed when Duce Staley did the bulk of the running in 2004 and Bettis was inserted near the goal line. After scoring a pair of touchdowns in a home game, the fans booed.

I'll fathom a guess the fans were saying "Du-u-u-u-ce" and not booing Bettis. I seriously doubt Steeler fans would boo touchdowns. That's actually a good thing in the NFL.

Still, I wouldn't be surprised if co-author Gene Wojciechowski or the book's publisher wanted to drum up some negativity to make the book a best seller. Who wants to relive another Bettis lovefest leading up to the Steelers' Super Bowl XL championship in his hometown of Detroit?

As a member of the media, Bettis is paid to speak his mind. He says the information in the book is simply one man's opinion.

That's fine and good, but as the No. 5 rusher in NFL history, discretion may be a wise move. Being four years away from a possible Hall of Fame nomination, some writers don't see him as a slam-dunk candidate, even though he has the credentials.

Bettis should keep his opinions limited to the players on the field now, not tarnishing his image.

Of course, that's just one man's opinion.

Sam Tallarico is a staff writer for the Butler Eagle.